The Art Of Good Conversation
A good conversation with someone can be the highlight of our day.
Having people to talk to makes life more meaningful. Be it casual or intellectual, we make a difference with each conversation we have. It makes us realize that we matter.
Having conversations gives back more to us as we become better at it.
I had a habit that didn’t allow me to make the most of a conversation — interrupting the other person’s flow by trying to get my point across. Bringing in the intention to improve was the start of my growth.
With exposure and the willingness to learn, I am getting better and gaining more from conversations. Here’s what I’ve learnt so far...
Being patient is key. Be it on a call, in person, or on chat, I practice allowing the other person to complete what they have to say, followed by a few seconds pause before I reply. This is called holding space. It creates a safe space for sharing and lets the speaker be open and authentic.
“Words are the vehicle, and the energy is the cargo — actual goods being transported from one person to the other,” says my coach, Vinay. When there is positive energy present, we connect to the person on a much deeper level. The effect can be felt in our body at the end of the conversation — we become fully charged.
Silence isn’t a bad thing. Although it can seem awkward at first, it gives us the space to breathe in clarity and composure. We can then take the conversation forward based on what we want to talk about next. Respecting silence in conversations is something I’m working on the most.
Our objective should be to step up and engage in conversation with people who challenge us and make us think. We will stand to gain much more if we go into a conversation with the right intention. This is an infinite game — there is no winning or losing, only the chance to improve.